When most people picture the life of a professional runner, they imagine a dream: running every day, training with teammates, traveling to races, and performing on big stages. For Emily Venters, one of the country’s most talented distance runners, that dream came true when she turned pro.
But behind the training logs and race results, Emily’s journey has also been about something deeper. It’s a story of perfectionism, depression, resilience, and the courage it takes to let go of expectations in order to truly thrive.
I’ve had the privilege of crossing paths with Emily in the running world — even pacing her team in workouts during her time with Nike Union Athletics Club. Over the years, we’ve shared conversations about both performance and mental health.
Today, she’s preparing for her marathon debut at the Chicago Marathon on October 12th, and her story offers lessons for athletes and non-athletes alike about chasing dreams, facing setbacks, and redefining success.
The Dream vs. Reality of Going Pro
When Emily signed her first professional contract, she thought she knew what life would look like.
“I imagined it would look a lot like it does now: run, lift, eat, sleep, run,” she told me. “What I didn’t expect was just how much downtime there would be in between. That part has been tough for me because I don’t do well with having nothing to do. I’ve tried filling the extra time with different things here and there, but I’m still searching for more.”
The physical demands of pro running were familiar. But what blindsided her was the loss of structure.
“In college athletics, so much is laid out for you and life feels easier in that sense,” she explained. “Once you step into adult life, you suddenly have to figure out everything on your own. That’s already a hard transition for most people, but as a pro runner it can feel even harder because you don’t have the built-in routine of a 9 to 5 job. You have to create your own structure day by day.”
This gap between expectation and reality created fertile ground for struggle.
Depression, Perfectionism, and Pressure
Emily has been candid about the mental health battles that shadowed her early pro years.
“It was really difficult, especially that first year as a pro,” she said. “Like I mentioned earlier, I felt like I lost so much leaving college and stepping into this new life. Running suddenly felt like it became my whole world, and that was something I had worked hard on in college to avoid. I didn’t want my entire identity wrapped up in the sport, but as a pro I felt this pressure of ‘I want to be this person’ versus ‘I feel like I need to be this person in order to succeed.’ That internal battle was exhausting.”
She could have kept those feelings private. Instead, she chose honesty:
“What pushed me to be open about my struggles was the desire for people to see the real me. I wanted others to know that it’s okay to be a professional athlete and still go through tough times. You don’t have to present yourself as perfect just because you’re at the top of your sport. In fact, I think people connect more deeply when you’re honest about the ups and downs. No one relates to a story that’s only about winning.”
The honesty resonated. Her willingness to talk openly about depression, perfectionism, and doubt gave her followers a chance to see themselves in her story. “Being vulnerable has helped me connect with people on a different level, and that’s brought me so much joy,” she reflected. “I don’t want to hide behind a filter. I’d rather let people see me for who I really am.”
Questioning the Sport She Loved
There were many moments when Emily wondered if running was even worth it.
“Yes, many times,” she admitted. “But every time those thoughts came up, I’d take a step back, give myself a break, and I always found myself wanting to come back to the sport. Usually it just meant I needed to change something—whether it was my coach, my environment, or my lifestyle—and that shift helped me rediscover my love for running.”
Her depression didn’t just affect her mind — it impacted her body.
“I hardly raced,” she said. “I got mono, I had a stress injury, I got COVID—I just wasn’t well. We often blame physical stress for injuries or sickness, but mental stress can do the same thing. I’ve always noticed a connection between my running and the amount of mental stress I’m carrying. For me, the key is continually working on the mental side just as much as the physical.”
A Turning Point: Support and Therapy
The hardest moment came one night on the couch when she admitted to her boyfriend at the time that she didn’t see a point in living anymore.
“In that moment, I couldn’t think of anything that made me want to keep going,” she recalled. “He told me that if I went through with ending my life, it would be the most selfish thing I could do because of how deeply it would impact so many people who cared about me. As hard as that was to hear, it snapped me out of that place enough to reach out for help.”
The next day, Emily made calls: to her parents, her coach, and her support network:
“My parents helped me find a therapist and a DBT program. My coach and the Nike sports marketing staff were incredibly supportive, even though I hated admitting to them that I needed time off. They gave me the space I needed to heal. During that time, I ran only when I wanted to and as much as I wanted to. I took day trips around Utah, went home for a while, and committed to therapy.”
That decision — to reach out instead of retreat — marked the beginning of healing. “That period allowed me to start understanding the roots of my depression and to figure out how I could keep myself from getting that low again. It was one of the hardest but most important steps I’ve taken.”
Tools for Thriving: Mental Skills and Mindset
Recovery didn’t mean an end to struggle. But it did give Emily tools to navigate it.
One of her favorites is the STOP skill: “It stands for Stop, Take a deep breath, Observe—by tuning into my five senses—and then Proceed with what I was doing. It helps me stay present and interrupt spiraling thoughts. It doesn’t always work perfectly, but it definitely helps bring me back to the moment.”
She also leans on affirmations. “I have a few affirmations I repeat during workouts, one of which is ‘I am in control,’ reminding me that I’m the one in control of my thoughts, words, and emotions even in high-stress situations.”
Even her approach to racing has changed. “I’ve started making more specific race plans. That structure helps calm my anxiety because the brain doesn’t like the unknown. Having a clear plan gives me something to focus on and eases that fear.”
When asked what advice she’d give to athletes feeling crushed by perfectionism or pressure, Emily was clear: “Lean on others and ask for help—seriously. Do not be afraid to reach out. It doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human. The only way to truly perform your best is to free yourself from the weight of your own mind.”
Looking Ahead: Chicago and Beyond
Now, Emily stands on the brink of something new: her first marathon.
“I am so excited! But, of course, also a little nervous,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t fully know what to expect or how it will feel, but I’m learning to lean into that uncertainty and let it fuel my excitement instead of fear. I get to do something I’ve never done before and challenge myself in a whole new way. No matter what happens, it will be special.”
What excites her most is the beginner’s mindset. “There is something special about the fact that you have no real expectations yet. Of course I have goals, but now they are goals, not expectations. I have let go of the idea that I have to run a specific time and instead I am excited to see what I can do.”
Her goals are simple, and powerful: “Finishing. Truly. Even if it does not go the way I want, just crossing that finish line will make me proud. I know I have many marathons ahead so this one does not have to be perfect. I see it as the first step toward figuring out what I can improve for the next one and that is what excites me most.”
Takeaways: What Thriving Really Means
Emily’s story is about running — but it’s also about life. It’s about the courage to admit when you’re not okay, the strength to ask for help, and the wisdom to define success not as perfection but as progress.
When asked what she would tell someone in the same dark place she once occupied, her answer was simple and direct: “You are never alone! There are so many people out there that have been or are in the same shoes as you. And it ALWAYS gets better!”
And when I asked how she defines thriving now compared to when she first turned pro, she didn’t point to times or titles.
“I use the term ‘thriving’ loosely. I do not want people thinking I am in a perfectly happy place because that is just not true. I am happy though because I enjoy my teammates, my coach, and my running community here in Utah. It makes me feel a part of something bigger than myself.”
Final Reflection
Watching Emily’s journey has reminded me of why I founded Strive to Thrive Coaching. Thriving is not about being perfect. It’s not about winning every race or meeting every expectation. It’s about building resilience, finding community, and continuing on even when life feels heavy.
Emily’s marathon debut in Chicago will be a milestone, but the real inspiration is in how she got here: by being open, vulnerable, and determined to keep progressing.
Her story is a powerful reminder for all of us — athletes, parents, teens, and anyone chasing a dream — that thriving is not about living without struggle. It’s about facing those struggles with courage, support, and hope.
Strive to Thrive Coaching provides coaching, mentorship, and wellness support. We do not diagnose, treat, or provide therapy for mental health conditions. Our services are not a substitute for licensed psychological or medical care.
